'Should married couples get a tax break?' poll discussion

gowers1976

I would love to see that my husband could take some of my tax allowance.
I'm currently taking a break from work to raise our two children and think we would benefit for my husband being able to take at least some of my tax allowance. If we were both earning a total of his wage we would have a higher take home than now.

Paul_Herring

qetu1357 wrote: »

Research after research shows that children who are born and brought up in married relationships are less likely to be unemployed, involved in crime, taking drugs etc. than children who are not.

Also research shows that people who marry with children stay together longer than average on those who don't.

Also married men are less likely to commit suicide than non-married men.

So it isn't meant to be a criticism of those who choose not to marry but society and goverment should encourage parents to be married for the benefit of the children, the parents and society.

Because forcing two people who don't really want to be together for some pittance of a tax-break is going to solve all of society's ills, result in 100% employment and reduce divorce and male suicides to 0%.

No, I didn't think so either.

PoorPennilessMe

robin_banks wrote: »

How do you know your children wont be valuable members of society?.

Child benefit is a univerdal benefit, though for how much longer I don't know, if this couple earn 150k a year I doubt they'd get CTC.

Thanks Robin - Whilst I know that the system allows them to get Child Benefit, I was wondering what the Government's thinking is behind giving it to them. Also, I can confirm that they get CTC. It may be slightly less than 150K pa joint income, but definately 3-figures.

As to your first point, as a person living alone, having a child would mean sacrificing personal freedoms, for which I would end up resenting the child. This would affect my parenting skills and ultimately affect the child. Whilst this does not guarantee how the child will turn out, I have no desire to do that to anyone. But considering I won't be living on benefits to raise a child for several years, how come I am not being rewarded by the system?

qetu1357

PoorPennilessMe wrote: »

No disrespect meant, but do you read the Daily Mail much? I think if you are going to quote research of such enormous standing, the least you could do is provide a link to the source (not to someone else just ranting like I do - I'd hate to be quoted as an authority when all I am doing is saying what I believe... There is a difference!)

None taken.

No I don't.

Do you want another guess about which paper or papers I read?

Check out here for just one source.

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/

qetu1357

Paul_Herring wrote: »

Because forcing two people who don't really want to be together for some pittance of a tax-break is going to solve all of society's ills, result in 100% employment and reduce divorce and male suicides to 0%.

No, I didn't think so either.

No I don't think it will result in 100% employment etc. As you highlighted from my post children brought up in a household where the couple are married are less likely to be unemployed in future life.

sar011279

adwat wrote: »

Births / Deaths / Marriages are recorded events in most societies. Therefore, can be used to allocate a tax break for couples.

How do you propose to record co-habitation? Do you really suggest that HM Government should be legally informed of every persons whereabouts in the country as a whole? In this way addresses could be cross checked for co-habitation as you suggest. Also, imagine the opportunity for fraud. All the means of "proof" you suggest are completely open to fraud.

Don't get me wrong, I think that couples co-habiting should get a tax break as well, as me and my wife did for years, but they should have to enter into a formally recognised civil partnership to qualify, otherwise anybody claiming to be a couple can defraud the system.

But what's to stop people frauduently marrying? Records will exist for couples who have lived together for lets say at least a year. HMRC already holds address info for tax purposes as well as tax credits. Formerly recognised civil partnerships are all well and good but again cost money - something a lot of people are very short of at the moment. So once again those who have no money to start are penalised further - rediculous.

edgex

qetu1357 wrote: »

Research after research shows that children who are born and brought up in married relationships are less likely to be unemployed, involved in crime, taking drugs etc. than children who are not.

Also research shows that people who marry with children stay together longer than average on those who don't.

Also married men are less likely to commit suicide than non-married men.

So it isn't meant to be a criticism of those who choose not to marry but society and goverment should encourage parents to be married for the benefit of the children, the parents and society.

your assuming that that research shows that marriage leads to those things

is there actually any evidence of that?

or is it just that those people that already choose to get married are already in more stable relationships?
ie. all those good things are what leads to marriage

edgex

qetu1357 wrote: »

Sorry, just don't get it.

Where's Oscar Wilde's (who lived over 100 years ago) published research to support his theory?

There is loads of published research to show marriage is of benefit to society.

look up 'causation'

edgex

qetu1357 wrote: »

None taken.

No I don't.

Do you want another guess about which paper or papers I read?

Check out here for just one source.

http://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_for_Social_Justice

"The Centre for Social Justice is a centre-right British political thinktank set up by Iain Duncan Smith..."


they are not, & never have been, a place anyone would consider to be doing research

Derbyh

I think there's a place for Married childless couples to benefit from being married and this should be acknowledge by the tax system. I would love to have children but can't I am fed up with seeing how much extra tax assistance that couples with children receive. I would not expect a massive amount that would not be economically viable or socially appropriate but some tax incentives and acknowledgement of marriage and civil partnerships should be given.